From its first edition, the "Great Historical Atlas" was received with such enthusiasm by the reading public that it seemed necessary to make it more accessible in the form of a less expensive edition, intended to spread widely this necessary tool of knowledge, teaching, and research. The new presentation, more comprehensible, maintains elegance and clarity, and while some maps have been removed because they were of minimal usefulness, others that were missing have been added as a supplement. The new format of the book meets the same requirements that led us in the past to recommend it to historians, educators, students, and those who seek to better understand what surprises, concerns, or piques their curiosity in the present.
On one hand, current events are illuminated by everything that has preceded and defined them: in every case, reduction to history is necessary. On the other hand, history is recorded, and not only political history, but also the history of institutions, religions, artistic creation, morals, or economic relationships. The researcher, expanding his research, cannot ignore the maps, as graphic representation illuminates unforeseen relationships between the events it contains. The professor knows perfectly well that he must use the map to support his statements to his listeners-students. Furthermore, each of us, as we gaze upon the world, when we travel, when we visit an exhibition or read a book, feels the need to benefit from the numerous pieces of information we receive, to position ourselves accurately at the center of events, both near and far, as well as the significant rearrangements that have taken place over the centuries and have contributed to the change in the number of people, their opinions, culture, political stance, and way of life.
In addition, it was deemed necessary to make the maps completely legible and for everyone to be able to refer to them. Therefore, the most efficient procedures were applied in order to represent historical events with lines, colors, and nomenclature. A simple classification, with clear comments, and an index help the reader locate historical figures and make use of the rich information they provide. The Historical Atlas has not lost any of the elements that contributed to its brilliant success. It is complete and more practical than before. Now updated, it includes recent major upheavals, mainly in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
(from the preface by Georges Duby)